Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Rampaging Ex-LAPD Cop Shoots 3 Cops, Kills 1

SWAT teams searched near a rugged San Bernardino ski resort late Thursday for a fired LAPD officer who shot three officers, including one fatally, in a rampage across Southern California.

February 7, 2013
Rampaging Ex-LAPD Cop Shoots 3 Cops, Kills 1

Dorner wearing his LAPD uniform. Photo via Facebook.

2 min to read


SWAT teams searched near a rugged San Bernardino ski resort late Thursday for a fired LAPD officer who shot three officers, including one fatally, in a rampage across Southern California.

Local, state, and federal authorities are searching for Christopher Dorner, 33, who threatened "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" against police in an manifesto posted on his Facebook page, reports the Los Angeles Times. He was fired by the agency in 2009.

Ad Loading...

Earlier in the day, the California Highway Patrol issued a "blue alert" for the Nissan Titan driven by Dorner. Authorities found the Titan Thursday afternoon as a burned-out shell in Big Bear, where Dorner was reportedly spotted.

Dorner's suspected rampage came less than a day after the Irvine Police Department named him as a suspect in the killing of a former LAPD captain's daughter and her fiancé, a USC campus police officer. In his manifesto, Dormer reportedly blamed the captain for his firing.

The chain of events began at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, when Dorner allegedly attempted to steal a 47-foot boat at the Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma, San Diego, in an apparent attempt to escape to Mexico. His LAPD badge was found nearby, reports the Los Angeles Times.

At about 1:30 a.m. Thursday in Corona, Dorner engaged two LAPD officers assigned to a protection detail for someone mentioned in his manifesto. During a shootout, one officer suffered a grazing head wound.

Sometime later, Dorner ambushed two Riverside Police Department officers in a cruiser at a stop light. One officer was killed; the second was wounded in the attack. During a news conference, Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said the shooting was the cowardly act of a depraved individual.

Ad Loading...

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told reporters that Dorner was heavily armed and should turn himself in. "This has gone far enough," Beck said. "No one else needs to die."

A Navy reservist, Dorner was fired from the LAPD in 2009 for making false statements about his field training officer. He was hired in 2005.

Dorner is a decorated Iraq War veteran who won commendations for pistol expertise and rifle marksmanship. In his manifesto, he vowed to use his military training to wage a war of attrition against his former department and said he would "utilize every bit of small arms training, demolition, ordnance, and survival training I've been given."

Related:

Navy: Iraq Vet Dorner Excelled In Pistol, Rifle Handling

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Security officer wearing an earpiece uses a handheld two-way radio at an outdoor event, with PositionPTT push-to-talk radio accessories and earpiece shown alongside for professional communications.
PatrolJuly 28, 2026

PositionPTT & Pryme Combine Communication Technologies to Deliver Distracted Driving Compliance

Pryme Radio Accessories and hardware/software maker PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free communications and ensure Department of Transportation compliance using an integrated system of push-to-talk platforms, devices, and audio equipment.

Read More →
Graphic announcing $25 million in law enforcement grants and resources over a photo of the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., with large blue-and-white headline text overlaying the building.
PatrolJuly 23, 2026

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips YouTube thumbnail asking, “What qualifies a device as rugged or fully rugged?” featuring a Panasonic Toughbook laptop on a dark street background.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 23, 2026

What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?

What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Leadership update graphic featuring Team Wendy President Vasilios Brachos standing in front of a display of protective helmets, with POLICE Law Enforcement Solutions branding and text announcing his appointment as company president.
PatrolJuly 22, 2026

Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President

Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.

Read More →
BRINC fundraising announcement graphic featuring a response drone in flight, highlighting a $125 million funding round to expand 911 response drones for police and fire stations, led by Motorola Solutions Ventures with additional investors.
PatrolJuly 16, 2026

Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →